Multiculturalism is the concept of people from different geographical locations, different cultures and mythos, different languages assimilating under the big umbrella of a common idea or theory. Multiculturalist people have a common identity to be and act as one people with a common value or values and at the same time be different as per their respective cultural definitions. In multiculturalism, different people are free to follow their own cultural beliefs and rituals, but also to be willing to act and be identified by a single identity. The statement that “the whole is more than just the sum of its parts” is sociological acceptable model of the concept of Multiculturalism. Today, the world has become flat and smaller. The internet has made it possible for businessmen to deal directly with each other across geographical distances. It is this which demands cultural empathy in the nation and across the globe so that people all over the world can coexist for which, it is essential that the concept of cultural diversity is known to all.

As Dana Warmack points it out, multiculturalism is a subject, which has many contrary arguments socio-political arguments embedded and is hence is not very easy to comprehend. “Social functionalism, social conflict and symbolic interaction are three sides to a social triangle that connect three different views equaling the concept of multiculturalism.” (Warmack, 2010) Each of the three are perspectives, and while the sides may be said to be the right and left versions of political theory, the third unites them, representing a particular side of the whole idea of cultural diversity of equivalent value.

The Importance of Cultural Adaptability

Today, we have people and industries being increasingly located in foreign shores so that manufacturing costs can be competitive. Americans are increasingly investing in new markets in China and India. From the other side, entrepreneurs in developed countries are investing in the United States. An example of this is the manufacturing activities of Apple in China. Tata Steel, UK which is a global company headquartered in London and owned by Tata Sons, India is another example of global cultural tolerance and adaptability. When the Tata’ s acquired Corus Group plc, they had to be sympathetic towards and even adopt the cultural difference between the British and the Indians. That they have been able to do so is why Tata Steel UK is a profitable company today.

What type of people will mainly emigrate now? Highly qualified and skilled professionals will now be wooed across continents. Therefore, there is going to be a day when multicultural education and studies will cease to be of relevance. Multicultural society is going to be replaced with one culture i.e., global culture. Everyone, immigrants or locals will have to make adjustments. This change is going to come very soon and the author is of the opinion that we will see it in a recognizable state within the next six-seven years. Maybe not exactly as the above, but change will definitely come in a world of a single culture (Global Culture)

Cultural adaptability is increasingly becoming more important to all nations who desire development and specially in the case of business managers in leadership roles. This is because only with understanding of culturally sensitive issues of new colleagues, sub-ordinates and superiors can tomorrows business leader hope to lead others and work effectively with others, all the more so in a global sense.( Clark and Matze, 1999)